The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-04-21

steamer. is d most interesting sight:
Then the beauty of the monsters can
be fully appreciated and the graceful
actions of the younger members of the
spOrtive crowd admired without fear.
A piece of beef or pork thrown into
the water causes a commotiOn near the
vessels side that lends additional Pleas
ure to the scene, and rs tn several
dark forms flush rapidly toward tie
floating bait you have a fair dppdr=
tunity of seeing the ravendIs creat-
tires eating their meal. If by accident
one gets wounded in the fight for the
morsel of meat, battle royal then oe-
ours. The water is SOON dyed to d
crimson color and the foam is dashed
about in d furious manner. The
wounded shark makes Bold stand for
his life, but his voracious comrades
throw themselves upon the unfortunate
member without ceremony, and soon
rend him in pieces leaving nothing
but the bones behind, which the sea-
birds finally peck clean. For miles out
at sea such d fight can be seen; and the
noise created by the strong tails lash:
ing the water sounds like the wheels of
a fefryboat, only much louder. In
these mi1-ocean battles whole schools
of sharks are often engaged,
and before the fighting ends a
dozen or more of the creatures
have been destroyed and the rest gorg-
ed with their remains. When the APP
petite of tho school Is satisfied they be-
come content and the battle Is stopped
hs if by mutual assent. Evidently the
law Of the survival of the fittest is carr
ried out vigorously among the shark
family, and might makes right ap-
pears to be their motto. The largest
and strongest can resist the attacks
the longest and make the weaker ones
their prey.
These inhabitants of the deep have
been called, not appropriately, ''the
wolves of the ocean" Their habits
and mode of attack are very similar to
our Western wolves, and like them.
they always travel in focks or schools.
When far from the shore they become
holder In their actions, and will even
venture to attack small craft singlS
when hard pressed with hunger. But
when confined in bay they become
shy and cowardly. The shallowness
of the water frightens them. and they
shun the approach OF man Meth as
much dread as do OUR western wolves
when caught on some open prairie in
broad daylight. But, if cornerel and
their life threatened, they will some
times turn upon their enemy with the
fierceness of despair, and offer a des-
peratc battle.
They frequent the bays and the
waters near the shore. however, in
great numbers at certain seasons of the
year, as mid-Ocean offers a very poor
feeding-ground for them. To appeasc
their vOracious appetites they are conn
peeled to be in constant activity, and 1t
requires but m oment to gulp several
smaller fish down their huge throats.
They are never really satisfied with
their meal, and will snap at any thing
that may float near them in the shape
of meat. This offers the fishermen
great opportunities, and every year
they haul in hundreds of these fierce
fish. OFF the New England coast men
go out every fall TO hunt sharks. On
clear days, when the surface of the
ocean is comparatively calm, the an
imals are very abundant, and little
difficulty is experienced in hauling in
from eight to ten in one dav. The
bodies are brought ashore and sent to
the mills that make fertilizers, and the
teeth, after being extracted, are fash
toned into delicate little ornaments,
set in gold, for ladies to wear. The
beaches in many places, after the sum-
mer season is over, are strewn with
bleaching sharks heads which the sum-
mer visitors caught during their short
sOjOurn near the sea. The sport at
tached to the work of hauling in the
great monsters is the principal induce
ment for hunting them. A large,
strong whale boat is fitted out with all
the necessary appurtenances and taken
at sufficient distance from the shore.
A large shark hook is then attached to
the end of rope and thrown over
board. The bat used is sometimes
beef, pork or CLAIMS. The shark is not
particular about its diet, and it quickly
swallows the luscious morsel. includ-
ing hook, line and all. 1t then starts
of in another direction, reeling out the
long rope as it does so, until the fisher
men gradually check its Roadway, and
ultimately bring it to a sudden stand
still. Then they begin to reel in on
their end of the line, and in a short
time boat and shark come so close to-
gether that they have an opportunity
of scrutinizing each other. Like the
Goldfish, the shark allows itself to be
dragged through the water like log,
offering no resistance, nor making any
splashng at the time. But when it is
drawn close to the boat and its sharp eye
catches the first glimpse of its deadly
enemies, then it begins to mlnifess
its displeasure in a way that is
appalling to greenhorn. 1t dashes
hither and thither with the impetuosity
of despair. churning the water into
great pillows with its strong tail, and
making the whale-boat rock up and
down like a cookie shell. But its
efforts prove of no avail; the heavy
reel slowly winds around and draws it
fot Ill.,